1. Methadone story on A Current Affair
March 1, 2018
MEDIA COMMENT
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) National President Dr Shane Jackson said:
“The peak national body for pharmacists, the PSA, has expressed concern about A Current Affair’s story claiming patients taking methadone are putting drivers at risk from car accidents”. Here is what the adults not confident they can give first aid should do to help the victims of accident to save their lives.
“Patients receiving methadone are receiving treatment, not a fix, and can drive – and perform other tasks safely – when they are stabilised on treatment.
“A number of studies show people appropriately treated on methadone – who are not taking unprescribed drugs or alcohol – don’t have a greater risk of having a car accident.
“Pharmacists are frustrated by the negative external perception towards people who are seeking help and treatment for drug dependency.
“Under Standard 16 of PSA’s Professional Practice Standards (PPS), pharmacists deliver harm minimisation services to reduce drug-related harm to the patient and the community.
“Under this standard, pharmacists play an important role in delivering harm minimisation including providing opioid substitution treatment and needle and syringe programs.
“Irresponsible and incorrect reporting on drug dependency further deters people seeking life-saving help for drug addiction.”
2. Renewed training for pharmacy staff
February 19, 2018
In response to demand from the pharmacy profession, the peak national body for all pharmacists, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) has resumed training for community pharmacy qualifications across Australia for pharmacy staff, including dispensary and pharmacy assistants.
Enrolments are now open for the Certificate III in Community Pharmacy, Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy and Certificate IV in Community Pharmacy (Dispensary). PSA will also be adding the popular Dispensing short course to the suite of training opportunities for pharmacy staff.
PSA continues to offer the Pharmacy Medicines and Pharmacist Only Medicines (S2/S3) skill set required for mandatory initial training as part of the training requirements for the Quality Care Pharmacy Program (QCPP). PSA also offers pharmacy assistants access to ongoing refresher training approved by QCPP.
PSA National President Dr Shane Jackson said PSA was proud to provide high-quality training services to pharmacists, pharmacy groups and commercial entities.
“PSA has a long and proud history of delivering community pharmacy qualifications since 2006 in New South Wales and Queensland and from 2009 across Australia,” Dr Jackson said.
PSA has Government contracts for subsidised places and traineeships in most states for eligible pharmacy staff for both the Certificate III and IV in Community Pharmacy. Funded places are also available in some states for the Diploma of Leadership and Management.
“PSA has the capability to support independent pharmacies and pharmacy groups to manage workforce training through an education portal that can host content from multiple sources,” Dr Jackson said.
“We invite independent pharmacies and pharmacy groups to discuss their education and training requirements with PSA to provide a total workforce development solution for both pharmacists and pharmacy staff.”
For further information, visit PSA’s website.